Results 4,621-4,640 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Extraordinary Renditions. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: There are issues in this regard in the report, which was only published today and which must be considered. Issues in regard to some of the recommendations and the approaches to be taken into the future will have to be considered at European level by all member states. We will respond in that context. We will consider all the matters that arise and how we will deal with them. I reject the...

Extraordinary Renditions. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: ——because we did not want to believe the US authorities. We received a categorical factual statement on this matter from the American authorities. We, as a Government, have no reason to disbelieve that. One can, if one so desires, paint a mosaic of possible coincidences, although tenuously in some circumstances, regarding the movement of planes, etc.——

Extraordinary Renditions. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: ——within Europe. However, what I and the Government have been concerned about all along is to make it absolutely clear to the Americans that any extraordinary renditions are unacceptable with regard to this country. We do not like it as a practice.

Extraordinary Renditions. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: With regard to any of our State facilities being used and abused, if such events were occurring, it would be an absolute abuse and a breach of trust. As to the Government, either on a passive or active basis being involved, there are no circumstances in which it would accept that the word "collusion" has any legitimacy because it simply untrue.

Extraordinary Renditions. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The House will want to stand back from this report and not rush to make a judgment on it. This is a draft and not a final report. In response to Deputy Allen's question, I do not believe it will be raised at the Foreign Ministers' meeting next week. I have not spoken to the Minister directly but it must be considered before it is presented in its final form. That is the first point I wish to...

Extraordinary Renditions. (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: It is a strong and solid position and Ireland is one of the few countries that has dealt with this directly.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: My Department, with the assistance of external consultants, has recently concluded a major review of the training provided to driver testers. This review suggested changes in the structure and delivery of the training of recruit driver testers. The amended training course has been implemented and was used in the training last February and March of the 7 staff redeployed from the Department of...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 84, 111, 131, 277 and 282 together. As a central component of Transport 21, the Western Rail Corridor will be re-opened. In this context Iarnród Éireann has submitted to my Department detailed business proposals relating to Phase 1 (the reopening of the Ennis to Athenry section) and Phase 2 (re-opening of the Athenry to Tuam section). These proposals...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that demand for rail travel on Iarnród Éireann's commuter routes is currently increasing at between 5% and 10% per annum. In response to this rise in demand for services a significant increase in rail capacity and frequency has been provided on commuter rail services in recent years. For example, total passenger capacity of the fleet has increased on the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Government Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 sets a primary target of a 25% reduction in road collision fatalities by the end of 2006 over the average annual number of fatalities in the 1998 — 2003 period. Achievement of the target would result in no more than 300 deaths per annum by the end of the period of the Strategy. This is an ambitious target and one that requires the continued...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: There is currently no height limit for goods vehicles. I am currently considering the introduction of a height limit for vehicles taking account of the wide-ranging submissions received arising from the public consultation on the matter last year. I expect to make a decision in this matter shortly. In the event that it is decided to introduce a statutory height restriction for vehicles, it...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 116 and 130 together. Following the decision on 4th April this year to proceed with an investment transaction by means of an initial public offering (IPO) of shares in Aer Lingus, I mandated Aer Lingus management to engage with the trade unions on the key concerns of staff in relation to a third party investment transaction which were job security,...

Written Answers — Rail Network: Rail Network (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I received Iarnród Éireann's application for a Railway Order for the Cork to Midleton Railway line on the 15th of May 2006. I acknowledged it on the 22nd of May 2006. On the 26th of May I directed that a Public Inquiry be held into the application for a Railway Order. I will shortly appoint an inspector to the Public Inquiry under section 42(1) of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 70 and 103 together. The Road Traffic Bill 2006 contains provisions to enable the reform of the driver licensing regime to discourage long term reliance on provisional licences. The implementation of any such licensing reforms is dependent on the current unacceptable driver testing backlog being cleared. The Road Safety Authority will be examining the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The application of a special speed limit at any location in lieu of a default speed limit is a matter for the individual city councils or county councils through the making of special speed limit bye-laws. I issued guidelines in April 2005 on the application of special speed limits and the local councils, when proposing to apply a special speed limit of 30 km/h, must only do so in accordance...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 161 together. The arrangements agreed between Aer Lingus and those workers who were transferred to TEAM Aer Lingus was a matter for the company. I understand from the company that those workers who opted to move to the new owner (FLS) waived all their rights in this regard at the time of the sale and those who did not returned to the employment of Aer...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The development of Quality Bus Corridors in the Greater Dublin Area is funded through the Traffic Management Grants Scheme, administered by the Dublin Transportation Office, and implemented by the local authorities of the Greater Dublin Area through the Quality Bus Network Project Office. This year, I have made almost €38m available for QBC development, of which €24.7m has been allocated...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 93 and 162 together. The position in relation to drivers involved in road accidents and testing for alcohol levels is outlined in the Road Traffic Acts. The Road Traffic Act 1994 makes provision that a member of the Garda Síochána may require a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle to provide a preliminary breath specimen where the vehicle...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: Transport 21 includes a provision for a Metro line from the City Centre to Swords via Dublin Airport. This does not include an extension to Donabate, nor was such a link envisaged in the Dublin Transportation Office's strategy "A Platform for Change". It is intended that the Metro line will terminate north of Swords at Lissenhall. However, there is a major park and ride site planned at the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (7 Jun 2006)

Martin Cullen: The preparatory work on the draft legislation to facilitate open-road tolling is well underway in my Department. I anticipate, subject to Government approval and other priorities on the legislative programme, that this legislation will be published in the Autumn.